Settlement discussions​​ continued on Friday between Major League Baseball and the players’ union about the suspensions for Yankees catchers Gary Sanchez and Austin Romine, according to major-league sources.

Both players were suspended last Friday–Sanchez for four games, Romine for two–for their roles in a brawl between the Yankees and Tigers. The new collective-bargaining agreement stipulates that a hearing must take place within 10 days of a suspension. But with settlement conversations ongoing, no hearings were scheduled for Friday, sources said.

The delay almost certainly ensures that no resolution will take place before the Labor Day holiday, enabling both Sanchez and Romine to remain available to the Yankees for their remaining three games against the Red Sox. Their suspensions will be staggered, one following the other, sources said. The timing of the penalties, too, remains a subject of discussion. The two sides routinely hold conversations about settlements when players are suspended for on-field conduct.

The Yankees’ next series–in Baltimore for the start of a nine-game road trip–is arguably more important to their postseason chances than the current set against the Red Sox. The Yankees trail the Red Sox by 4½ games in the AL East and lead the Orioles in the wild-card standings by 3½. Two other teams are ahead of the Orioles in the wild-card standings–the Twins trail the Yankees by one game for the top spot, and the Angels are 1½ games behind the Twins.

Rosters expanded to a 40-man limit on Friday, enabling the Yankees to carry multiple replacements as potential backups during each catcher’s suspension.

(AP Photo)

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Ken Rosenthal is the senior baseball writer for The Athletic who has spent more than 25 years covering the major leagues. In addition, Ken is a broadcaster and regular contributor to Fox Sports' MLB telecasts and an in-studio reporter for the MLB Network. He's also won Emmy Awards in 2015 and 2016 for his TV reporting. Follow Ken on Twitter @Ken_Rosenthal.